As people age, their joints often begin to hurt. They may try a variety of approaches, from taking OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen to swallowing home remedies such as gin-soaked raisins or grape juice and Certo. You may not have heard of CBD cream to alleviate joint pain, but it is gradually becoming popular.

CBD Cream Speeds Runner’s Recovery:

Q. I’m a female distance runner who just completed my usual 10-mile run. About 15 years ago, I had knee pain. An MRI showed a torn meniscus. I limped out of the doctor’s office after he gave me alternatives including surgery, a shot of hyaluronic acid and physical therapy. I selected the PT which I still do on my own.

My knee pain resolved but recurred with less intensity when I started training for a marathon. My husband brought home some CBD cream, a non-hallucinogenic form of cannabis ointment.

I did not believe it would do a thing, but it definitely does. I’ve gained back some speed and now consistently run, hike and bike pain-free.

What Is CBD Cream?

A. Cannabidiol (CBD) is, as you suggest, derived from cannabis. This is a compound that does not have psychoactive properties. It has been used to control seizures. The FDA recently approved a highly purified form as the brand-name epilepsy medicine Epidiolex.

We have heard from other readers that CBD cream or oil can be helpful in managing pain, but there are few well-controlled clinical trials to support this approach. We’re glad you have gotten such benefit and look forward to more research.

S.M.

CA

November 1, 2018 at 11:59 pm

I started having pain in my right temple and jaw. The dentist said it was probably TMJ and sent me home with a TMJ handout of information. But the pain increased to the point where I was taking ibuprofen around the clock. My son suggested I try a CBD ointment. I massaged it on my temple and jaw. It actually took the pain away, and I stopped taking the ibuprofen. Turns out I didn’t have TMJ, but needed a root canal.

Julie

West Virginia

October 31, 2018 at 10:55 am

I was recently a car wreck, where I was rear ended. I have whiplash. My neck,back and right hip has been affected by the wreck. My daughter brought over some CBD cream and I have been using it. It is working very well for me. It works better than any other cream that you would use for your muscles. Also it takes my pain away. I’m not using any of the drugs the doctor have me. Best stuff ever.

Carroll

North Carolina

October 30, 2018 at 10:02 pm

I recently bought some CBD cream at my local Hemp Pharmacy. It gives me considerable relief from joint pain, although it does not totally eliminate pain. Rubbing the cream into my aching joints definitely makes it much easier to get to sleep at night. I plan to continue using it since it has been very helpful. It was $50 for a small container, but a little bit goes a long way. At that price, it is worth a try!

While I do use other strategies to reduce pain, mainly to optimize activity and diet, CBD cream definitely seems to be a good addition for me!

Kathleen Maher

NY

October 30, 2018 at 8:49 pm

ebm

Florida

November 1, 2018 at 9:06 am

Holistic Healthline in New York has a radio show where people can call in with nealth questions. They have researched several CBD cream and oil brands and sell the
one they found to be the best quality. They have a store in
NY area. Also, dispensaries are announced in the newspaper
when new stores are opened.

Chris

Florida

October 30, 2018 at 11:27 am

I am a 75 year old female who has had 4 major back surgery’s, fused from C2 to T2 cervical and from L3-4-5 lumbar. Walking made neck and shoulder pain excruciating. I was being prescribed opioid pain meds by my doctor in order to function. I heard about the pain-free effect CBD oil was giving. I decided to try some. I started using a full spectrum CBD oil, and within 6 weeks I was totally off the opioids and using nothing but the CBD Oil. Drops under the tongue for pain. That was about 9 months ago, and I still have not used any other type of pain med. I do use the CBD ointment for neck pain once in a while. Where has this been all of our lives?

Cathie

Springfield, MO

October 30, 2018 at 10:29 am

Yes, CBD cream relived my ankle and foot pain from Eller’s-Danlos syndrome. I’ve used it on my back, hips and shoulders, too. Rub it in real good. When the back of my neck gets tight, it relieves that pain, too.

Mark

Portland

October 30, 2018 at 9:52 am

CBD oils are quickly becoming a favorite for athletes, seniors and cancer recovery patients. They are as effective as many OTC meds and without side effects, judging by my own experience and by others I know. CBDs are not psychoactive, but can sometimes contain an insignificant trace of THC. Don’t be put off by this, – you are NOT going to get high from a CBD oil, whether in pill form, ingested oil drops or skin cream. Just make sure you are using a reputable brand that uses non-toxic CBD extraction techniques. Do not buy from China. If you care to do some light research, you can start with Project CBD: https://www.projectcbd.org/about/caveats-hemptor

Nancy

Missouri

October 30, 2018 at 6:38 am

The cream helped my husband when he had pain from his chemotherapy. It was a blessing when the low-dose pain medication wasn’t enough. I think it’s terrible they didn’t want to approve it in MO. They want to get rid of the pain medications because of the theft of it from drug users, but refuse the use of CBD. They are NOT making a dent in the street drugs. So at least make the creams of CBD available for use. It was a godsend for him. Too bad we had to drive miles to get it, and bring it home because it had been not legal here.

Randa

Austin, TX

October 30, 2018 at 2:56 pm

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About the Author

Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies. Read Terry's Full Bio.